Fund Structure and Descriptions

The Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation manages a large number of endowed funds that have been established for various purposes. Two types of funds are distinguished: 1) the Endowment Fund which is supported by all undesignated gifts, and 2) Designated Funds which have been established for a specific purpose. Also, within the Endowment Fund and Designated Fund umbrellas, Named Funds may be established by donors with a minimum threshold gift. Named Funds are funds in name only, for the purpose of retaining history and recognition of major gift donors or for the purpose of memorializing a person.

To provide fund oversight and management of fund grant requests individuals are named to fulfill the roles of Fund Caretaker, Advocate or Advisor:

ENDOWMENT FUND:

The Grants Committee is the fund Caretaker and is responsible for the management of grant requests.

DESIGNATED FUNDS:

Fund Caretaker– The Caretaker is usually a Westwood Lutheran Church staff person, and the person having the greatest insight into the legitimacy of the needs for which the fund was established. Caretakers are identified in the Designated Fund descriptions and are approved by the Board of Directors. The Fund Caretaker has the following roles and responsibilities:

Generation and submittal of grant requests per the Grant Application Guidelines and Procedures. If the Caretaker has delegated this task, the Caretaker still needs to approve the grant request submitted.
Adhere to the Grant Application Guidelines and Procedures for Grant Recipients.
Become knowledgeable on the Designated Fund background, purpose and stipulations.

Fund Advisor - The Fund Advisor is an optional position granted to an individual(s) by the Board of Directors if the individual(s) was clearly instrumental in the establishment of the fund and has expressed a strong desire to remain closely involved in fund development and disbursements of monies from the fund.

Fund Advocate – A Fund Advocate(s) is a Foundation Director or Directors, appointed by the Foundation President, who serve as a liaison between the fund Caretaker and the Board of Directors with the following specific roles and responsibilities:

Provide orientation to the Fund Caretaker and ministry teams regarding the fund purpose, monies available, updates on Foundation granting policies, grant request procedures, and Foundation recognition requirements. Maintain continuing communication as needed.
Develop an awareness of opportunities appropriate for grants from the fund.
Develop a close relationship with the Fund Caretaker, Advisor (if any) and others that may be intimately involved in projects supported by fund grants.
Be a spokesperson for the fund in discussions at Board meetings.
Be a fund evangelist in promotion of fund raising activities.
Provide follow up to make sure appropriate WLMF recognition is provided for regarding the Foundation’s role in the use of the grant money.

Grant Requests: Requests may be made by any member of the congregation or by organizations outside of Westwood. Most often requests come from the Pastoral Staff or members of the church council (committee chairpersons).

Funding Priorities: Projects to be funded must be consistent with the mission, purpose and priorities of Westwood Lutheran Church. Preference is given to initiatives of established committees or special task forces serving the church. Projects should require one-time-only funding, or start-up funding, but not require any ongoing commitment by the Foundation. The Foundation prefers not to give loans or to provide grants for operating expenses. Projects should have lasting impact and improve the spiritual or educational growth and well-being of the congregation.

FUND DESCRIPTIONS

The Endowment Fund

Background:
This fund was established in 1975 as the Westwood Lutheran Progress Fund. The name was changed to the Endowment Fund in 1991 to better describe its primary function. The Endowment Fund is the primary instrument of the Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation’s work. Any gifts given to WLMF, unless specifically directed by the donor to go to another Designated Fund, or by specific action of the Board of Directors, shall automatically be credited to the Endowment Fund.

Purpose:
The earnings generated from this fund are used to provide for a broad range of purposes decided upon at the discretion of the Board of Directors consistent with the blanket provision set forth in Article III of the Articles of Incorporation.

Caretaker:
The Grants Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors

Named Memorial Funds

J. Luther Anderson Memorial Fund: This named fund was established in 1999 to honor long-time Board member and past WLMF President Luther Anderson who died unexpectedly in November of 1999. With the consent of the Anderson family, the WLMF was been given discretion to determine appropriate grants from this fund. Therefore it was established as a Named Fund under the Endowment Fund umbrella. WLMF is also named in the wills covering both Luther and Sylvia. The Anderson family has asked that at the time of Sylvia’s death, this fund be renamed to The Luther and Sylvia Anderson Fund.

Shirley Larsen Memorial Fund: This named fund was established in 2000 by Louis (Louie) Larsen in memory of his wife, Shirley. Shirley was a long time member of the Library Circle and had a great interest in Westwood’s Library.

Agnus Hansen Memorial Fund: This named fund was established in 2001 as the result of a substantial amount of money left to the WLMF in Agnus’s estate. Agnus was a member of Westwood Church for a number of years and loved her church.

Johnathan Hilk Memorial Fund: This named fund was established by the parents (Milt and Lenore Hilk) and other family and friends of Johnathan Hilk. Johnathan was a mentally handicapped child who was known and loved by all at Westwood. He was one of three special needs children who had their own confirmation at Westwood. Johnathan died suddenly at an early age.

Doris Ives Memorial Fund: This fund was established in 1986 by Paul Ives in memory of his wife, Doris. Paul and Doris were strong supporters of the Foundation and Paul also served a 6-year term as a Foundation Director.

Lillian Domholdt Memorial Fund: This named fund was established in 2002 as the result of a substantial amount of money left to the WLMF in Lillian’s estate. Lillian was a member of Westwood Church for a number of years and loved her church.

Designated Funds

Darleen Hysen Community Mission Fund

Background:
This fund was established by the WLMF Board in 1997 with memorial gifts given to honor Darleen Hysen. Darleen was a long time member of Westwood and a WLMF Director who had been involved in many aspects of Westwood’s ministry, including the A Cappella Choir, youth, and congregational president. Darleen was also very influential in community outreach programs of various sorts, particularly the Habitat For Humanity program. Through her inspirational leadership, Westwood’s participation in that program grew into a major outreach focus.

Purpose:
Grants from the fund are directed toward providing financial resources to Westwood Lutheran Church’s Habitat for Humanity program or any similar types of programs that might be deemed by the Directors to exemplify Darleen’s concern and outreach toward the less fortunate.

Caretaker:
Pastor Jason Van Hunnik

Donald C. Bell Adult Education Fund

Background:
This fund was established in 1992 upon the death of Dr. Donald C. Bell who was a prominent member of Westwood. Lutheran Church, including a term as congregational President. Dr. Bell was also a founder and initial board member of the WLMF, and later served as President of the WLMF. Dr. Bell was instrumental in guiding the Foundation and actively promoting its objectives. He was also an ardent believer in the need for continuing adult Christian education at Westwood.

Purpose:
This fund was established in collaboration with Dr. Bell’s wife, Joann Bell, to provide funds for special adult education programs at Westwood, such as The Bell Memorial Lecture Series, which is particularly oriented toward the use of Luther Seminary professors to bring high quality theological teaching to Westwood members.

Stipulations:
Consult with Joann Bell on annual use of funds, topics, and speakers.

Caretaker:
Adult Education Committee Chairperson

Fund Advisor:
Joann Bell

Don Hansen Caring Ministry Fund

Background:
A predecessor fund, the Don Hansen Stephen Ministry Scholarship fund, was established in memory of Pastor Don Hansen, who was Westwood’s Pastor of Evangelism and Outreach from 1979 to 1984. He was largely responsible for forming Westwood’s Stephen Minister Program which trained over 200 lay persons as volunteer care providers to others needing special support in times of illness or personal or family distress. In the mid-1990’s, the Stephen Minister program at Westwood ended.

Purpose
With the concurrence of Pastor Don’s widow, Phillis Hansen, in 1997 the name was changed and the scope broadened to be inclusive of a variety of training avenues and programs directed toward helping and caring skills. This training should primarily apply to Westwood lay persons, but could also fit the special needs of clergy. The training could consist, for example, in the form of retreats, seminars, workshops, or special classes. Fees, materials, mileage, and other out-of-pocket costs related to this type of training would be eligible.

Stipulations:
To primarily benefit the faith family of Westwood.

Caretaker:
Pastor Lee Thoni

Kaari Thoni Youth Education Fund

Background:
The Kaari Thoni Youth Education Fund was established in 2005 in memory of Kaari Thoni, daughter of Reverend Lee and Pat Thoni. It was formed from the merger of the Early Childhood Center Fund and the Education Program Fund along with additional Kaari Thoni memorial money donations. It supersedes both the Education and Early Childhood Center funds.

The Education Program Fund was established in 1983 to help fund educational excellence at Westwood, particularly in the area of early life ministry. Early grants focused on single parent education.

The Westwood Early Childhood Center (WECC) was established in 1983 to provide daily care and education to children from six weeks to the early elementary years in an atmosphere of Christian love and nurturing. The Foundation assisted in the establishment of the WECC by providing a loan from the Endowment Fund. The WECC continues as a central part of Westwood’s total ministry and one of a select few such centers in Minnesota that is fully accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The Early Childhood Center Fund was subsequently established in 1991 to support the continuing education for the staff of the WECC.

Purpose:
Grants from the Kaari Thoni Youth Education fund are to used to help meet the Christian educational needs of Westwood children; either in the WECC or Sunday school. The goal is to help all children to encounter God’s love and teachings. The fund will offer financial assistance for educational materials, as well as overnight/day camp scholarships. Kaari was passionate about helping children attend camps.

Caretaker:
Carol Pyeatt, Director of Children’s Ministry

Fund for the Homeless

Background:
This fund was established in 1989 to provide aid to the homeless through organized shelter programs such as that operated by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis or by the Families Moving Forward organization. It may be thought of as the institutional counterpart of the Good Samaritan Fund, which provides assistance directly to individuals in need.

Purpose:
This fund’s specific purpose is to provide aid to the homeless through grants directly to the providers of shelter.

Stipulations:
Funds are not to be given directly to needy individuals (see Good Samaritan Fund).

Caretaker:
Pastor Jason Van Hunnik

Good Samaritan Fund

Background:
This fund was established in 1980 by a gift from Conrad and Marie Posz, members of Westwood, to provide a living memorial fund to help individuals or families in immediate need for the essentials of life. Conrad was also a previous WLMF Director. Additional major contributions to this fund have been provided with the named funds established as described below.

Purpose:
This fund is designed to be an additional funding source for the Good Samaritan Fund maintained by the Westwood Lutheran Church. The earnings from this fund may be used to supplement the congregation’s own budget for this purpose and/or "Cause of the Month" contributions. Typical purposes intended for expenditures from this fund include rent, transportation, clothing, or other basic costs. Recipients can be either Westwood members or non-members.

Stipulations:
Generally a one-time emergency assistance to not exceed $100

Caretaker::
Senior Pastor Tania Haber

Named Funds:
The Conrad A. and Marie Posz Good Samaritan Fund: This has the same purpose as the primary fund, but is separately identified to recognize a substantial level of original and on-going contributions by the Westwood members whose name it bears.

Albert Johnson Memorial Fund - established in 1991 by Lois and Kenneth Coon in memory of Lois’s father, Albert Johnson. Lois is a founder and past Director of the WLMF.

James and Barbara Lanenberg Fund - established by the Lanenberg’s because of their concern for the basic welfare and needs of individuals and families. James is a current Director of the WLMF.

Music Program Fund

Background:
This fund was originally established in 1973 as a memorial to Lorraine Langemo, Westwood’s first organist. In 1976 the WLMF established a choir robe fund from the proceeds of a WLMF sponsored Augsburg College Choir concert. Both of these funds were combined into the Music Fund in 1980. Westwood Lutheran Church is known throughout the Twin Cites as a "music church" that effectively incorporates many styles of music, both vocal and instrumental, into its worship, and where the youth of the church are taught the beauty and skill of singing and playing sacred music from an early age. More recently, contemporary forms of Christian music have been implemented to enlarge available worship venues, requiring new printed music and different types of musical and electronic equipment.

Purpose:
The primary purpose of this fund is to provide resources for the use and enhancement of music as a worship medium, including the use of paid special musicians for festival services, purchase or rental of special music for worship and festival purposes, and perhaps rental of certain instruments or equipment.

Stipulations::
None

Caretaker:
Kris Langlois, Director of Music

Named Funds:
Kristie Thompson Memorial Fund - established as a memorial to Kristie Thompson who was a member of Westwood and a singer in the A Cappella Choir for many years. She was an ardent devotee of the Westwood music program under Ronnie Nelson. She died in 1991 and left a large gift through a life insurance policy to WLMF to be used for Westwood music programs.

Stan and Esther Crist Music Fund: This fund was initially established in 2006 by Stan Crist as a memorial to his wife, Esther, who was a past member of the Westwood A Cappella Choir and who very much loved the music programs at Westwood. Stan and Esther joined Westwood in November 1970 and immediately became active volunteers in many ways. One of the most visible volunteer acts of the Crists, and a ministry in its own right, was the planting and maintaining each summer of beautiful flower gardens surrounding Westwood church. Stan is a master gardener and loves to share this God given talent with the Westwood congregation and the surrounding community.

Ronnie Nelson Appreciation Fund

Background:
This fund was established by grateful Westwood Lutheran Church members in 1992 at the retirement of Ronnie Nelson in appreciation of his 33 years of service to the church, its choirs, and particularly his development and leading of children’s choirs that became nationally known and emulated in many churches.

Purpose:
Grants from this fund are to be used to provide resources for Westwood to sponsor or produce special or unique musical events fitting to the Christian tradition that may be community outreach as well as extensions of the normal music agenda of the church. This could include payment for guest artists, purchase or rental of music or equipment, and communications related to the event.

Stipulations:
Events requiring special use of facilities, advertising outside the church, or additional funds or use of staff may also need approval from Church Council.

Caretaker:
Kris Langlois, Director of Music

Ralph and Dee Martinson Art Fund

Background:
In 2004, in response to growing requests from congregational members for Foundation grants to support the display of Christian art works, a memorial art fund was established with a portion of the gift from the Ralph and Delores Martinson estate to honor their memory. Ralph and Dee were long time, active members of Westwood and showed a special love for its rich heritage of worship and music. Ralph was a WLMF founder and past president and also served as congregational president. Ralph used his artistic gifts to express devotion to God and his family in bronze sculpture. His grandchildren were favorite subjects. Some of Ralph’s work was specifically created for Westwood, including the cross that is used to lead the processional each Sunday and the 1st Peter plaque hanging on the wall in the entry to the sanctuary from the Commons.

Purpose:
Grants from the fund are to be used to purchase and maintain works of art that will complement the worship and spiritual experience at Westwood. Art pieces may be purchased outright or commissioned through the WLMF as wishes of the congregation arise.

Stipulations:
Approved grant requests only apply to art pieces acquired and displayed within the Westwood facility and must be consistent with Westwood policies.

Caretaker:
Zeb Highben, Fine Arts Coordinator

Seminary Scholarship Fund

Background:
This fund was established by the WLMF Board of Directors in 1999 to provide financial support to Westwood members who are engaged in degree programs at a qualified Lutheran seminary. Historical sources of financial resources for students have dwindled severely over the years, making it financially burdensome, if not impossible, for many students to complete seminary training. Yet, this is a time when the church is much in need of new blood and new pastoral leadership. Many Westwood members wanted a fund they could donate to for providing the needed financial help. In response, the WLMF provided seed money from the Endowment Fund to establish this fund.

Purpose:
It is planned that this fund can help fill the obligation of Westwood to provide tangible support and resources to any of our members who seek to become pastors or other seminary-trained church workers. The Foundation’s intent is to underwrite financial support of each grant recipient with annual renewal at the discretion of the Board.

Stipulations:

Grants from this fund cannot be made until the fund’s assets reach $20,000. Until then the WLMF will fund scholarship grant requests from the Endowment Fund.
Applicant must be a student in an accredited Lutheran seminary with preference to ELCA institutions.
Applicant must be on a degree or certificate track program of the institution.
Financial need must be demonstrated by seminary financial aid guidelines.
Preference given to current and active members of Westwood Lutheran Church.
Payment of the scholarship grant will be directly to the seminary.

Caretaker:
Senior Pastor Tania Haber

Tom Hunstad Caring Youth Memorial Fund

Background:
This fund was initially established in 1989 as the Caring Youth Fund to create Westwood’s Caring Youth Award program. Doris and Roland Larson initiated the Caring Youth Award in memory of the death of their grandson, Tommy Wipf. The Caring Youth Award, which included a monetary gift, was given annually to a young person who demonstrated uncommon caring for others. With substantial monetary support from the Larsons, plus other donations from supporters in memory of Tommy Wipf, the fund has grown substantially. In addition, Pastor Tom Hunstad promoted the Caring Youth concept to the national level and it has been adopted elsewhere in the metro area, including the cities of St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Minnetonka, and Hopkins and throughout the country.

In 2001 the purpose of the fund was expanded to allow grants from the fund to be made for additional youth and adult leader promotions and rewards that serve to strengthen the youth program at Westwood. The fund name was also changed to recognize the outstanding youth work of Pastor Tom Hunstad, his strong support of the Caring Youth program, and his strong leadership in national Lutheran youth programs.

Purpose:
The purpose of the fund is to provide grants that will be used to help strengthen the youth program at Westwood Lutheran Church. It does this by facilitating Westwood’s annual Caring Youth Award program. This award is given to a young person who is a member of Westwood who demonstrates caring for others by reaching out to someone who is experiencing a troubling or difficult life situation, or to an individual whose day-to-day lifestyle reflects uncommon concern for others.

The fund also provides for grants of money to reward or recognize many other equally outstanding young people or adult youth leaders of Westwood and provides monetary support of activities that will contribute to youth program enhancement. Such additional awards may include subsidies for a youth trip, adult or youth leadership training, subsidized income for working at a Bible camp, youth service, project promotions, and others.

Fund Caretaker:
Nick Lovas, Youth Director

Fund Advisors:
Roland and Doris Larson

Return to Top